Shunthi

Shunthi (Zingiber officinale)

Treasures of Nature (Prakriti Ka Khazana) – Shunthi

Shunthi (Sonth in Hindi), known in Botany with the name of Zingiber officinale, is quite a recognized Ayurvedic herb. It always grows erect to about one meter height and has rhizomes that are tuberous, horizontal and a little aromatic. Drying of ginger after its processing with the help of lime water, Shunthi or Sonth is prepared. It is a commonly used ingredient in Trikatu powder. It is hot in effect but adds taste to the food. It is useful in promoting digestive fire and helps in rheumatoid arthritis and aamvata.

The oil secretion in body is boosted as it contains aromatic oil. Despite being pungent, Shunthi is very helpful in increasing the quality of semen. It also helps in constipation because of its quality of digestion effect after consumption. It helps check vomiting, promotes voice effect and is useful in many gastric ailments. It is useful in elephantiasis, abdominal digestion, edema and relieves pain in piles.

It has the quality of absorbing water from walls of intestines and thus it is useful in solidifying fecal substance. To check skin rashes, it should be taken with jaggery. When taken with onion juice, it helps check vomiting.

Shunthi is one of the spices in Indian kitchen and it is made from dry ginger.